ISLAMABAD: A new report released by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) has revealed a troubling picture of violence against women in the federal capital, with zero convictions recorded in any case during the first half of 2025.
According to the Violence Against Women Fact Sheet (January–June 2025), compiled from data obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) from the Police Department, a total of 373 cases of violence against women were reported in Islamabad between January and June 2025.
Of these, 309 cases (83%) fell under the combined category of rape and kidnapping, 42 cases involved physical abuse, 17 cases were related to harassment, 3 cases to cybercrime, and 2 cases to honor killing. Despite this large number of registered cases, not a single conviction was recorded during the six-month period.
The report highlights serious systemic gaps in the reporting, investigation, and prosecution processes. It points out that 90 cases remained under investigation, 52 cases were under trial, and 167 cases were withdrawn without any outcome — exposing major weaknesses in legal procedures and victim protection mechanisms.
Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director of SSDO, expressed deep concern over the findings, stating, “It is alarming that despite hundreds of cases being reported, not a single conviction has been achieved in Islamabad. This clearly reflects systemic weaknesses that deny justice to survivors.”
He urged the police, prosecution, and judiciary to take urgent, coordinated action to strengthen investigation and prosecution mechanisms, ensure timely trials, and build public trust in the justice system.
The SSDO has called on authorities to introduce comprehensive justice reforms, improve evidence handling, and establish stronger survivor support systems to ensure accountability and fairness in cases of violence against women.
The full fact sheet is available on SSDO’s official website: www.ssdo.org.pk.
